Residential Segregation and Implications in Jos North Local Government Area, Nigeria

Résumé

Residential segregation is a long term challenge the world over with daunting consequences that leave the city unable to attain its full potentials. In Jos, residential segregation has assumed a worrisome and unfortunate trend that has affected where people live, work, do business and recreate. This paper assessed residential segregation and implications on physical planning and development in Jos North Local Government Area. The study selected six (6) wards out of the fourteen (14) in the LGA. Two (2) neighborhoods each dominated by Christians, Muslims or mixed were randomly selected and 304 respondents drawn from the 6 neighborhoods with bias for people that have lived in Jos since 2001 (when the first major ethno-religious violent conflict occurred) who could relate with conflict experiences resulting in residential segregation and the implications on physical planning and development. The study reveals that residential segregation existed since the colonial era but has recently been sustained by the sectarian crises which began in 2001. More than 81% of the respondents indicated that segregated neighborhoods are directly related to the ripple effects of the ethno-religious violence, resulting in residential neighborhoods that are now ethno-religious territories and enclaves, some of which have become beehives of terror and criminal hide outs and activities. Further implications include accelerated increase in demand and price of land, poor and inaccessible road network, minimal infrastructure and service provision, increase housing demand, illegal and uncontrolled housing development leading to the emergence of new slums and informal settlements along the fringes of the city some of which are inaccessible to public officials, city managers and service providers. The range of implications are common across all segregated neighborhoods and require urgent interventions to enhance effective and efficient physical planning and sustainable development in all facets. Urgent physical planning intervention and spatial framework to address development challenges would help to largely reduce uncontrolled residential segregation and its implications through partnership between residents, government and development oriented organizations.